Robert Griffin III drops massive USC football championship stance after Fresno State win

Robert Griffin III believes USC football belongs in the national championship conversation after the No. 14 Trojans overwhelmed Fresno State 39-0 Friday night at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The 2011 Heisman Trophy winner and current FOX college football analyst offered major praise after the Trojans improved to 2-0. USC controlled both sides of the ball, while quarterback Jayden Maiava delivered another strong performance after Griffin previously named him his No. 1 Heisman front-runner following Week 0.

Griffin took to X, formerly Twitter, shortly after Friday night’s shutout to make his stance clear on USC’s national championship potential.

“USC is a National Championship Contender”

Maiava completed 23 of 25 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns. Freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley caught two of those scores, including a 68-yard touchdown, while Kayden Dixon-Wyatt finished with six receptions for 102 yards.

USC finished with 552 total yards, but its defense delivered an equally impressive showing. Under new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson, the Trojans limited Fresno State to 116 total yards and 39 rushing yards. They also forced two turnovers and recorded two safeties while producing the program’s first shutout since September 2024.

The result continued a strong opening stretch for Lincoln Riley’s team following its Week 0 victory over San Jose State. USC entered Friday ranked No. 14 after missing the College Football Playoff in each of Riley’s first four seasons.

Griffin’s declaration remains an analyst’s early-season assessment rather than a prediction that USC will reach the College Football Playoff or compete for the championship. Still, the Trojans have opened 2026 with two victories and showed balance on offense and defense against Fresno State.

The Trojans’ next real test comes September 26, when they host Oregon in a Week 4 matchup. For now, they sit 2-0 after their first shutout in two years.

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